Human activity and the Enviroment

The population of the world is increasing due to the development of modern medicine as it has stopped the widespread death from disease.

The development of agriculture has also helped because it is now easier to provide food for such high population.

To meet the high demand for food sources farmers add fertilisers to their crops to encourage growth. If the nitrates or phosphates in fertilisers wash into a lake or stream it can result in eutrophication (over enrichment) and the death of wildlife.

More pollutants are being produced: phosophates (e.g. from detergents), nitrates (e.g. from fertilisers) and sulfur dioxide (e.g. burning fossil fuels).

1. Excess nitrate washes into river causing rapid growth of algae.

2. Some plants start dying due to competition for life.

3. Microbe numbers increase as they feed on the dead animals.

4. Microbes use up all the oxygen. Fish and other aquatic animals suffocate.

A larger population affects the environment more:

More waste is being produced

More pollutants are being produced: phosophates (e.g. from detergents), nitrates (e.g. from fertilisers) and sulfur dioxide (e.g. burning fossil fuels).

Raw materials including non-renewable energy resources are rapidly being used up.

To meet the high demand for food sources farmers add fertilisers to their crops to encourage growth. If the nitrates or phosphates in fertilisers wash into a lake or stream it can result in eutrophication (over enrichment) and the death of wildlife.

1. Excess nitrate washes into river causing rapid growth of algae.

2. Some plants start dying due to competition for life.

3. Microbe numbers increase as they feed on the dead animals.

4. Microbes use up all the oxygen. Fish and other aquatic animals suffocate.